NY-Sen: Who's It Gonna Be?

I take him at his word-- (0.00 / 0)

I think that the Governor has been thinking about this in an open-minded way, and has considered many possibilities.  And, that he will announce his pick on Saturday, if not before.  And, that he will not be influenced by "negative" ("don't pick Gillibrand") public input, but, is interested in the public's input, as far as who, or what kind of person, we do want.

This is Paterson's pick, and, boy, that poor guy has a lot of responsibilities already, plus this.  I hope we all give him some props, and take the advice you give: if you don't like his pick, get busy promoting your challenger for 2010 (NOT giving "negative public input" about his picking abilities).  

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by: robinia @ Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 18:47:15 PM UTC

I will give him negative public input... (0.00 / 0)

For the process. The process has been a joke and I don't think he has helped with his responses to the press. Keeping it a closed process just makes the process seem too much like Albany and its ways that have led it to be deemed "dysfunctional." We get it: He's the one that appoints this person. But that doesn't mean we should be shut out of the process as if we have no say and who will represent us.

I do think that this is a tremendous opportunity for him. His appointment will say a lot about what kind of leader he wants to be. Picking a strong progressive voice will show some of us that have questioned how progressive Paterson is that he is still very much a progressive.

If he were to go with someone who might not fit that mold, he will hear about it.

This is a huge political opportunity for him. He is essentially picking someone that will help him in 2010. I don't think he will blow it, but I will be anxiously waiting to see who he picks.

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by: robert.harding @ Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 19:10:15 PM UTC

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i don't think it will be cuomo (0.00 / 0)

Because then Shelly gets to pick the new AG.  Not what Paterson wants.  

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by: Exile on Ericsson St. @ Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 18:50:09 PM UTC

It's Caroline (4.00 / 1)

If not Caroline, Gillibrand.

If not either of them, Suozzi.

Strike Israel, Nadler, Maloney, Weingarten, Higgins, Carrion, Brown, Holtzman and Cuomo.

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by: Lead Dog @ Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 19:05:22 PM UTC

that's pretty much (0.00 / 0)

what i am hearing as well.

TODAY is day one. It always is.

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by: phillip anderson @ Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 19:25:23 PM UTC

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I agree. (0.00 / 0)

No inside sources or buzz for me, I'm just going logically.

Kennedy is a big name who would be acceptable to most NYers as well as being a powerful fundraising force.

Failing that, I don't think he elevates Cuomo, a rival, particularly when it would mean getting an AG who probably likes Paterson even less that Cuomo does.

The downstaters would not gain anything for Paterson in terms of upstate cred, and it wouldn't do anything to help upstate Democrats (read: people like me) which is what they need to do to expand a State Senate majority.

That leaves us Brown, Higgins, and Gillibrand. Gillibrand has the best reputation for electoral victory, charisma, and fundraising.  

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by: Adama @ Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 20:06:55 PM UTC

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What do I want and what is true are different (0.00 / 0)

What you say is true. What I want is neither of the top two you listed.

Kennedy is so vulnerable.

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by: Amherst Guy @ Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 21:33:50 PM UTC

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My top 2 (0.00 / 0)

are Suozzi and Brown.

I really have my fingers crossed that this delayed process means Caroline is out.  After all, why would the Governor continue to delay an announcement if he's only going to pick the inevitable?  It makes a whole lot more sense if he recently changed his mind about the selection and is now scrambling to pick an alternative other than the two obvious choices.

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by: BingChester @ Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 20:33:02 PM UTC

It better not be Gillibrand (0.00 / 0)

because her House seat is one that we wont be able to hold in without her, especially in a low turnout special election.  Look at the results in Paul Tonko's old district in the August 2007 special election when the Republican picked up his seat by a huge margin.  And that was in a more Democratic district than NY-20(NY-20 has a 46%-29% Republican registration advantage).

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by: Sean @ Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 21:27:08 PM UTC

If stats mattered that much (0.00 / 0)

Gillibrand would never have won in the first place.  In 2006, when Gillibrand first won the seat, NY-20 was the most Republican seat in the state by registration, and the third most Republican by performance.  She won by running an excellent and relentless campaign, proving it can be done.

There are strong options should she be appointed, and we would all have to help in the special election to replace her, but I don't see holding the Congressional seat as a deciding factor for the Governor, if appointing her helps HIS electoral standing in 2010, and if she would win election in 2010 and 2012, which she probably could.

If that weren't the case, on that logic, why appoint Suozzi, because the Dems may not be able to hold the CE seat without him, or why appoint Cuomo and have a redux of Koppell (or let Shelly pick his replacement)?  

As I have consistently pointed out - the Governor should do what is best for him politically, which is likely also the best thing he should for the state - pick a reliable Democratic vote for the Senate, someone who can help him with important suburban/upstate constituents, and who can raise money for re-election.  I'd prefer Suozzi or Gillibrand, though I expect he will select Kennedy.

She didn't go to the inauguration.  She's in speech/press prep.

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by: Lead Dog @ Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 00:08:25 AM UTC

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Strike That (0.00 / 0)

Caroline's out.

Gillibrand or Suozzi.

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by: Lead Dog @ Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 00:19:36 AM UTC

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